Herpetologist?

I am ging to be a herpetologist. I am going to a technical college to become a herpetologist. THen I want to either breed some sort of reptiles, be a herp vet, have a herp rescue organization, or work with reptiles at the zoo, or open up a Reptarium (like a state aquarium but with herps instead of fish).

I think there may be a decent job market for vets, especially one who
can see, and if and when necessary, treat herps. Around where
I live one Animal hospital that will see herps charges $144.00 (US) for
a single visit. That does NOT include any tests that might need to be
done. The least expensive vet in my area charges $79.00 (US) for
the same type of service per visit.
Of course to start your own business takes start-up money (to rent a
place to see the animals and for equipment and support staff, etc..) so
you would probably have to work for someone else until you save(d)
up enough money to open your own animal/herp vet practice. And as
non-herp as this may sound most people do prefer cats and dogs so
you would have to pay close attention to learning how to treat them
when studying to become a DVM (Doctor of Vetinary Medicine) since
without that business it would be hard to pay the bills for your
vet practice.
You have to try to think in practical terms first (how you are going to
make enough money to pay your bills and rent, etc...) and then
you will have the opportunity to do that which you enjoy most (working
with and treating herps). There doesn’t seem to be a lot (too many) of
people who have firsthand experience with herps who have done much
in the study of herps behavior in the wild and in captivity, so if and when
you are in college studying to become a DVM (should you decide that’s
what you want to do) you should keep an eye out for any opportunites
to be an asisistant to any more experienced herpetologist’s doing
studies and/or fieldwork on herps even if all you get is an invaluable
learning experience. That could pay off for you down the road later in
your life shoiuld you decide to do your own studies/fieldwork on herps
and/or to write books or papers on herps. Peace.

Lizard~King